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Trip Details

Trip Overview

Albania Discovery by Kayak

3

Albania is a rich tapestry of cultures woven together, historic threads and colorful characters. Bordering the Adriatic and Ionian seas and bordered by Greece, Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro, it is a country of mountains, rivers and fabled shores. There are Greco-Roman ruins, Orthodox churches and Islamic mosques. All this awaits your discovery! Our creative itinerary is a wonderful mix of walks, paddles and explorations. Along our way we meet with various local leaders who join us as special guests to enrich our understanding and appreciation for this part of the world.

The history of Albania is complex and fascinating. Originally a Christian country, 500 years of occupation by the Ottoman Empire persuaded a majority of Albanians to become Muslims. Mosques and Islamic architecture ruled the day. Ottoman occupation ended in 1912 and Albania enjoyed a brief period of independence prior to WWI. After the war, the Italians occupied Albania but independence was finally established in 1920. The Italians however continued to meddle in Albanian sovereignty off and on through World War II, ultimately leaving behind cultural and culinary ties. From 1944 to 1985 the country was ruled by Communist leader Enver Hoxha who kept the country squarely independent of influence from others. Soon after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, Albania began to open up to the rest of the world. Tourism however, has barely taken hold, making this a pioneering trip into a corner of Europe few know.

Dates for this tour are immediately following our Peaks of the Balkans hiking trip making it easy to combine the two. The combination makes for a rich immersion into both Montenegro and Albania.

Detailed Description

Albania Tour - Kayak, Hike, Castles & Culinary Delights!

Albania is considered Europe’s last secret, with its unspoiled scenery of snow peaked mountains, blue seas, rivers, forests, ancient villages, and castles. The scenic coastline rivals those of Italy, Croatia, and Corfu—but this destination is unlike any other.

Albania Discovery is an opportunity to experience a land untouched by globalization. Its pure beauty and inspiring mix of civilizations and cultures make this country intriguingly unique. Take in the awe-inspiring scenery, while embracing the Albanian culture of hospitality and heart-warming generosity. Tour the contrast of old Ottoman and new Turk architecture, savor the Mediterranean cuisine, and kayak beneath the Lightning Mountains. Most importantly, enjoy every life-changing moment of this pioneering trip into a corner of Europe very few know.

ROW Adventures Founder, Peter Grubb, spent over a week exploring Albania in the fall of 2012, covering hundreds of miles and vetting the best the country has to offer. We are partnering with local guides and are delighted to be bringing this new adventure to you.

Trip Length:

9 days

Season:

June-September

Activities:

Arrive at the Mother Teresa airport in Tirana, capital of Albania. A short transfer takes us to the nearby hilltop fortress town of Kruja, center of Albanian resistance to the Ottomans in the 15th century. After settling in to our hotel with sweeping views of the valley below, we have a brief orientation meeting, then head out to enjoy dinner at a traditional local restaurant. Albania is a culinary delight with fresh, locally grown foods influenced heavily by their long relationship with Italy as well as 500+ years of occuption by the Ottomans. Specialties of Kruja include locally grown fresh salads and vegetables along with Tave Dheu, an oven-baked clay dish casserole made with cheese, meat and spices. We enjoy a welcome dinner and orientation together. Overnight.

Note: We recommend that you arrive a day early unless you are already in Europe to allow for the possibility of cancelled or delayed flights, etc.

Meals included:

D

Day:

2

This morning we walk among the historic fortress and visit two excellent museums. The first is the History Museum, housed in a handsome building designed by the architect Pranvera Hoxha, daughter of Enver, the communist leader of Albania for much of the 20th century. The museum sets the stage perfectly for our adventure ahead, providing perspective and understanding of the complex history of Albania. At the Ethnographic Museum, housed in a traditional Ottoman house we learn about life in Kruja a hundred years ago. The museum curator joins us for lunch to tell us more about Albanian history.

From Kruja we drive southwest to the coast, climb a dramatic pass and stop for a hike to get our first views of our kayaking waters. Dropping down to the Ionian coast we arrive at our simple seaside accommodation set beneath the towering Lightning Mountains.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

3

After a traditional breakfast we head to the sea for a kayaking orientation talk and to start our paddling journey. Our paddle is suitable for beginner kayakers although more advanced kayakers will enjoy it as well. Beneath the dramatic Lightning Mountains, we head north along a cliff-lined shore, exploring intimate coves as we go. The deep blue waters of the Ionian Sea are warm and welcoming. We stop for lunch and a swim, then make our way back along the coast to enjoy a relaxed evening at our inn. Paddling distance roughly 10-12 miles.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

4

We pack up and head south, paddling along cliffs, caves, beaches and forested mountains. We stop for lunch on an unspoiled beach for a picnic in the shade of olive trees and a refreshing swim. By mid-afternoon we reach the seaside resort of Himara and enjoy the comfort of the town's finest hotel set right on the sea's edge. Paddling distance roughly 10 miles.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

5

We continue south, falling into the rhythm of the sea and sun. There's nothing more pleasant than paddling on these sparkling waters and there's time to swim, soak in the sun's rays and peer deeply into the depths of the clear Ionian. We paddle through the splendid bay of Palermo, gliding past the front of the Ali Pasha Fortress. We also have the chance to have a glance at communist-era, once-secret submarine tunnel. Our paddle ends at a quaint guest house where we enjoy lunch with an Albanian family and learn of their life experiences in this intriguing country.

After lunch we have a scenic drive to the seaside town Saranda on the Ionian sea, where we check into our evening's hotel, relax and then head out to dinner in the Lekuresi Castle panoramic restaurant. Food long the coast is usually 'catch of the day' sea food dishes including the especially tasteful grilled sea bream and sea bass, as well as shrimp, squid and octopus plates. Side dishes of home made hot and crisp potato chips, potato salad with chopped garden parsley and lemon as well as the ever present 'village salad' (similar to a Greek salad of tomato, cucumber, feta, etc.). There are good vegetarian options as well. The sunset over this lovely corner of the Mediterranean, with Corfu on the horizon, is spectacular. Paddling distance roughly 12 miles.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

6

Today begins with a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Butrint, a Greco-Roman ruin that has one of the most peaceful and lovely settings of any classic site. It is situated on the Straits of Corfu, a port from Hellenistic to Ottoman times, and surrounded by a picturesque lagoon. The Greek island of Corfu is easily seen across the water. The Roman writer Virgil says the ancient city's founder was the seer Helenus, a son of the king Priam of Troy, who had married Andromache and moved West after the fall of Troy. Filled with legend and stones that speak, Butrint is one of the most memorable archaeological sites in the Mediterranean region. After a couple hours of exploring and learning from our local guide, we have lunch featuring local seafood delights including, in season, mussels from the lagoon of Butrint.

We then drive away from the sea, to the interior to visit the Blue Eye, a deep water spring that is set amid a forest of walnuts, pines, hazelnut and fir. A natural wonder it was supposedly closed to any but Communist Party elite for many years. From here we continue over a winding mountain pass road, then north through a pastoral valley to the historic town of Gjirokaster. Designated a 'Museum City' by Albania, and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2005, Gjirokaster may capture your heart. Birthplace of Enver Hoxha, the town is topped by a castle founded in the 13th Century. With a local guide we explore the streets and history of this captivating town. We check into our hotel, then head for dinner at an outdoor terrace with views over the valley. A specialty is the local dessert called Hoshaf, prepared with a layer of fig jam along with walnuts and covered by a light mousse of rice flour and dried plum.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

7

From our hotel we drive across the Vjosa valley and with off-road vehicles we drive through the narrow gorge of Suha to the Zagoria Valley where our seven-mile (11km) hike begins. We ascend to Dhembeli Pass (1500 meters/ 4500 feet) with stunning pastoral and alpine views along the way. From the summit we descend, and near the end of our hike, visit the fresco-filled Leusa Church of the 17th century. We end in the riverside town of Permet. Anyone who would rather not hike can ride in our van to this evening's accommodations in the riverside town of Permeti. The Mayor of Permeti, if his agenda allows, could join us for dinner to enlighten us on Albanian politics and social issues. Dinner will feature a traditional Albanian barbecue with lamb, veal and pork, served with garden vegetables, salads and local cheese.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

8

Four-wheel drive vehicles take us through the remote Skrapar region enjoying a beautiful and remote landscape known as the "Raki Lands" as the strongest liquor of Albania comes from here. After about two hours we reach the Osumi River canyon and hike along the rivers edge soaking in the sun and spectacular scenery.
We stop for lunch at a family-run traditional restaurant in a beautiful location. Then, we continue to Berati, one of the oldest and most attractive cities in Albania. Thanks to protection afforded by its designation as a 'museum city' in 1976, the town was spared from communist urban planning. Ancient mosques and churches make for plenty to see, including the Church of St. Mary with a beautiful icon collection by the 16th Century master Onufri. Tonight's accommodation is in a restored Ottoman home.

Dinner tonight will be a taste of dishes of stuffed vegetables, oven baked meats and 'fergese', another clay pot casserole prepared with cottage cheese, peppers and garlic. Through all the trip we will taste olives and cheese of the different regions.

Meals included:

B, L, D

Day:

9

We depart Berati in time to reach any flights scheduled from the Tirana Airport or continue your travels.

This trip is designed to combine with our Peaks of the Balkans trekking adventure that includes Montenegro and northeastern Albania's Dinaric Alps.

Includes: All transport upon arrival until departure from Albania; all meals and accommodations as noted; expert leadership throughout; all entrance fees; all kayaking gear.

Does not Include: Airfare; personal expenses such as alcohol, laundry, etc.; gratuities for guides.

Tiered Pricing Explained

Our trips are budgeted for full or near full sign-ups which enables us to offer trips at the lowest possible price. Because of numerousfixed costs, it is more expensive to operate a trip for a small group. Therefore, on some of our trips, in order to avoid having to cancel a trip, we have a “tier-pricing” system to avoid canceling a trip with a low number of sign ups. We have found that most people also prefer this alternative to having a trip cancelled. Thus, you will note on our trip prices there may be different price for 6-8 people versus 9-10, versus 11-12, etc...

We may initially invoice you at the higher tier price, and refund the difference depending on the final group size. Trip costs quoted are based on foreign exchange rates current at the time of this printing. We reserve the right to raise the trip fee if there are exceptional cost increases beyond our control.

Why Choose Us?

Proven Expertise

In 1974 ROW Adventures' founder Peter Grubb spent the summer living with a French family and during their summer holiday, visited mountainous Montenegro, then part of Yugoslavia. As they drove through the mountains Peter remembers gazing out to Albania, at the time strictly off limits to any foreign visitors. Some 14 years later, in 1988, ROW offered its first trip to Yugoslavia – a yachting trip along the Dalmatian Coast – that we still offer to this day, in Croatia. Albania was still closed to tourism, but when the Berlin wall fell in 1989 all that changed. Tourism started, but then internal events and the war in Kosovo brought it to a halt. Just recently Albania has become open and inviting. Peter was eager to visit and in the fall of 2012 spent over a week exploring the country, chalking up hundreds of miles and finding the best it has to offer.

The Personal Difference

This is the first kayaking and cultural tour ever offered to Albania, with trips limited to just 12 guests. Includes a well-orchestrated and creative itinerary that takes you to hidden corners of the region, led by expert bilingual local guides. All airport transfers are included.

Responsible Travel - Cultural Emphasis

We are proud that this tour has a significant and beneficial economic impact with the local communities and businesses we visit. We stay in local hotels, eat in local restaurants, hire local guides and buy all our trip provisions and food locally.
This trip includes interaction with local people on many levels, including special guests who join us to discuss regional and local issues. This provides an excellent opportunity for you to interact with locals, providing a strong cultural element to the trip.
People in Albania are eager to welcome travelers and we have no doubt you will be return with rich connections to this fascinating country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How do I reach Albania?

A: Several airlines offer daily flights to Tirana, the capital city, from Paris, Vienna, Frankfurt and other European cities. It's also possible to take a ferry from Bari, Italy to Durres, Albania before of after your trip. You might prefer to fly to a neighboring country and travel by hired car. If you prefer, transportation can be arranged at the end of the tour to continue on to Greece, or to Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Q: What sort of weather should I expect?

A: We've chosen our departure dates to avoid the heat of July and August. Generally days will be warm, in the 75-85 degree Fahrenheit range, with little to no rain. Nights cool to the 50-60 degrees, with cooler nights when we are in the mountains.

Q: What do I need to bring?

A: A full packing list will be provided. All kayaking gear is provided.

Q: How difficult is this trip?

A: The kayaking portion of the trip is appropriate for first-time kayakers, however we do recommend that you have previous paddling experience and conditioning prior to the trip. We won't be carrying any gear in the kayaks, so they will be light. The other parts of the trip include easy walks over uneven surfaces. Please call our office if you have any questions.

Q: Do you arrange international air?

A: We do not arrange international air travel but we do have a great air travel specialist we refer you to if you'd like.

Q: Are you able to arrange extensions to our tour?

A: Absolutely! We know the area well, so if you'd like to spend more time you might consider our Peaks of the Balkans hiking adventure that combines Montenegro and a corner of Albania not included in this trip. Or we can help you arrange your way to Greece, or north to Croatia. We're happy to discuss any ideas you have.

Q: How far in advance should I book?

A: There are a lot of arrangements to be made for a custom trip like this adventure and so it is helpful with our planning if you book three to eight months in advance. However, if you can't plan that far ahead, then it's usually not a problem to book up to about a month or two in advance. If you find yourself looking for last-minute space just call us and check!